TV’s unsung heroes deserve awards, too

By JULIE HINDS

Listen, Emmys. We need to talk.

You got a few things right with your latest nominations. For instance, you managed to sneak in a few daring nods, such as the eager-to-offend “Family Guy” for best comedy.

You gave nominee Simon Baker the credit he deserves for carrying the CBS drama “The Mentalist” with his megawatt smile.

And you restored my faith in humanity by rewarding Jemaine Clement of HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” and Jim Parsons of CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” for their hilarious genius.

But like most awards, you still ignore people who may not be as famous as their peers, even though they do as much as the big names to make their shows worthwhile.

I know Sally Field and Alec Baldwin are great. Now I want a little more credit for the unsung heroes and unappreciated oddballs of the TV landscape.

Here are some suggestions for your consideration:

UDanny McBride, “Eastbound & Down” (HBO). As a washed-up baseball star trying to return to normal life, the mullet-wearing McBride is ridiculously obnoxious and yet surprisingly endearing — especially in those rare moments when his ego-inflated Kenny Powers admits that he’s really “super-sad.”

UKyle Chandler and Connie Britton, “Friday Night Lights” (NBC). If there were a category for the most realistic husband and wife on TV, this football coach extraordinaire and his high school principal wife wouldn’t have any competition. I don’t know how they make their relationship seem so comfortably lived-in, but they do.

UNick Offerman, “Parks and Recreation” (NBC). The scene-stealing character actor from Amy Poehler’s sitcom has turned government-hating bureaucrat Ron Swanson into the most amusing boss on TV (sorry, Michael Scott). And the mustache is scary perfect.

UMary McDonnell, “Battlestar Galactica” (Syfy). As this outstanding series drew to a conclusion, she brought inner steel and poignancy to the role of Laura Roslin, a leader striving to battle Cylons and cancer long enough to find a safe haven for her people. In real life or space fiction, she has my vote anytime.

UChristina Hendricks, “Mad Men” (AMC). Elisabeth Moss was nominated, but her co-star is just as memorable as the sexy office manager betrayed corporately by the men who value her only as eye candy and personally by the handsome fianc who’s not the catch he seems.

URegina King, “Southland” (NBC). The gritty new series benefits immensely from her delicate work as a detective who’s seen it all and still is able to help the people she encounters with a compassion that’s always honest and never superficial. It’s an arresting performance.

UKaley Cuoco, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS). In a role that sounds like an update on Chrissy Snow of “Three’s Company,” she has shown impressive subtlety as the cute girl whose emotional IQ far surpasses that of the science geeks next door. It’s sweet that she’s falling in love with them — as friends.

ULeslie David Baker, “The Office” (NBC). Angela is exquisitely uptight. Kevin is amazingly clueless. Creed is just plain bizarre. But if anyone can guarantee a best-supporting laugh at Dunder Mifflin, it’s Stanley, the paper salesman who’s determined to keep a reasonable distance from the insanity surrounding him.

UJosh Holloway and Elizabeth Mitchell, “Lost” (ABC). Sawyer proved he can do more than lose his shirt and bestow nicknames when he connected with the wistful Juliet. Their star-crossed romance gave both actors a chance to ground the island’s flights of fancy in a meaningful love story.